Taking it to the streets: A Local skater makes name for himself
by Katrich Torres

LOCAL LEGEND ON WHEELS – Adam Dabonka has been skateboarding since his teens and regularly enters major competitions in the Northeast.

Adam Dabonka, a skater who lives in West New York and skates around Weehawken and other towns as part of the now-famous “Jersey Jumpoff,” has been making a name for himself in the underground skating circuit for several years. But not until recently has his reputation become something of a local legend.

He started skating as a teen. His need for speed first started with inline skates and later moved to skateboards. When that thrilling enough anymore, Dabonka traded in his skateboard for a long board. A long board is slightly bigger than the average skateboard. Skateboards are used more for tricks, whereas long boards are used more for speed. His next step was to start to enter races, many of which took place on city streets.

Dabonka has since entered the dangerous “Broadway Bomb” race, which has been featured in the New York Times. The “Broadway Bomb” starts on 116th Street in upper Manhattan and ends at the Charging Bull, Wall Street’s icon. Racers hope to skate the entire distance of Broadway without sustaining injuries. Dabonka has also participated in the Central Park Race and won third place in 2008.

Jumps off on his own

With his hands-on experience in races, Dabonka eventually turned his attention to his own community. With Weehawken as his backdrop, four years ago he created the “Jersey Jump-off.” It’s not so much a race as it is an experience. With Hudson County’s beautiful sites and hills, Dabonka wanted to share his neighborhood with others.

Skateboarders from all over the states come to skate in Weehawken. The skaters cruise along Boulevard East to take in the scenery of the New York skyline. The “Jersey Jump-off” takes a quick detour to Bergenline Avenue and down the famous Miracle Mile, but Dabonka’s favorite part of the excursion is taking the skaters to Pershing Road in Weehawken.

“It’s one of the best roads in the area.” said Dabonka.

Dabonka can’t stay away too long from racing. This summer he competed in several races. He will also participate in “Soldiers of Downhill” on Oct. 16 and 17 in Bainbridge, Ohio.